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Saturday, July 21, 2012

With the situation that has happened yesterday in Aurora, Colorado, I want to send my prayers out to anyone that reads this, all my prayers. Even if you are not related to the victims or the suspect, or were a part of this tragic situation...you might still be affected.

I don't think I have ever been this impacted by a horrific tragedy since 9/11? Which doesn’t mean a million other tragedies didn’t affect me.I will be honest; I have had moments of anger, and moments of crying over this situation. I'm not sure why it is hurting me so bad...but one thing I do know is that my heart is so into it because even though some of the victims lost their lives...they still continue to work their peace in other hearts that are still alive.

I don't know any of these victims. But I do know that they were people. And they each had a purpose on this Earth. As we all do. It's important for us to make sure that we live our lives. Yes, things make us angry, people hurt us, and we suffer from the loss of jobs, death, the lack of feeling loved or wanted. Maybe some of you are struggling with your purpose in life? But that doesn't make us or you any less of a wonderful person than someone that has a load of money, huge family, big house, nice car, etc.

I live a pretty medium, middle class life. I don't have a lot of fancy things. But I do have my healthy children, a hard working husband, a roof over our heads, a yard to tend to...two legs, and lots of talent...and a heart to give and keep giving by anyway that I can offer a hand to someone in need. I do also know that although both of my children are Night and Day. Each one has a special talent that I see. Each talent in them is different. I encourage both each day to use that talent to benefit their lives. I could go on about my degrees behind my name and what school or trade schools I've been to. The big National Company I worked for, that I played a somewhat important roll in. But I'd rather talk about the small things in my life that are my BIG things.

Even if you are not married, and you are hurting because you want to be, sometimes the married ones are looking to get out. Or God has not given you a child yet? Maybe he doesn't gift you with that child because He knows you would be a GREAT Mother or Father to a child that needs to be adopted (baby, child, or teen). Or a caregiver to an adult that needs help? Heck, maybe he just wants you to adopt a couple of dogs and a cat because they need saving???

My point is to stop wanting and complaining about what you don't have.Appreciate the exact thing and moment you are having right at this time. What if you spent all day complaining about how upset you are because that lady ahead of you at the grocery store spent 10 extra minutes counting her coupons when you had one item and were in a hurry...but you are still talking about it today because it made you mad? Then you get in your car, and a drunk driver hits you out of nowhere and you are dead. Honestly, what's the last impact you left on Earth then? The fact that you spent your last hours complaining instead of smiling and laughing? Who wants to be remembered like that???

True story:

At a conference there was woman that was checking out with the cashier in the Book store/ gift shop. She heard a little boy asking the Mom and Dad that was both wheelchair bound, if he could get a t-shirt that said a GREAT name on it. When the parent's said NO in a nice way, the little boy said "okay", but had his head down. The woman paying the cashier witnesses the parent's sad face when they had to tell the little boy he couldn't get the shirt. She also realizes how the little boy respected his parents. The Father even went on to say "maybe tomorrow we can get it". They never made a scene, or were loud to make someone see it. Apparently the woman witnessing the situation just has good ears. She asked the cashier how much the shirts were. $10, so the woman paid the cashier for the shirt....then went to the kiddo in front of his parents....and had him pick the shirt out that he wanted. The little boy was so happy. And the parents cried and hugged the Woman that did such an act.

Point of the story:

do something amazing no matter what. You never know who witnesses what you do, and how they might turn around and do the exact same thing...then the love and kindness keeps getting spread around.

Anyways, I realize I get very passionate with my writing even if my grammar and my context are off...or my punctuation is wrong. But I'm not an English Teacher; I'm an Artist that works with her heart, hands, and soul. Which is the most powerful thing to set this life on Fire? Your paper behind your name could be burned with one match...but it's going to take a crap load of gasoline, jet fuel, and matches to burn my soul up! (And nothing against all the smarty pants with the paper.If you have that talent, use it.We need you too.)

Some of you have maybe read up on this...but one of the Victims in the Colorado shooting was from San Antonio. I don't know her, but she is very inspiring. Now that she is in Heaven. We as humans need to realize what impact she made on this life in her lifetime. You might just think that she was a young adult pursuing a career. BUT, if you read one of her last blogs, you will realize that although she left our Earth in a very tragic way, you will see that her life and legacy is not over yet.

This Woman most definitely studied the word of God in Some way....and although I have never had a life and death situation other than a scary illness. I totally GET her point and continue to live my life the way she wanted us to live it. Read her words that I have highlighted in BOLD and realize what she is saying.Make TODAY the DAY you start Living no matter what!

If you are in a wheelchair, use it to your advantage...put some kiddo on your lap and give them a ride! You both will be smiling! If you lost your arms, use your toes! If you have no hair, go to a wig shop and have fun trying all those hairstyles on...and if you can't afford the wig, do something fun that makes you some extra cash....and go buy it one day! I don't have any money....but that doesn't stop me from making what little I do make...and putting most of it away for my children and their future.

Most important....SMILE! LOVE to all of you fabulous people that continue to encourage me and feed my heart with all this desire to paint and write and share photos with!

“A blogger and aspiring sports reporter who recently wrote of surviving a Toronto shooting was also among those killed, the woman's brother said.

The death of Jessica Ghawi, who was also known as Jessica Redfield, was a "complete and utter shock," said her brother, Jordan Ghawi.

He has been using his blog and Twitter account to update what he knew about his sister's condition. He also appeared on the NBC "Today" show.

Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said Friday evening that 10 victims died at the theater and two others later died from their injuries.

Jordan Ghawi said on his website that a man who was with his sister at the theater described the chaos, saying he and Jessica Ghawi dropped to take cover when the gunman first started shooting. Jessica Ghawi was shot in the leg, her brother wrote, describing details relayed to him by a man identified on the blog only as a mutual friend named Brent.

Jessica Ghawi began screaming when she was shot, and the friend tried to calm her and stop the bleeding, according to Jordan Ghawi.

The man was then shot, but he continued attending to Jessica Ghawi's wound before he realized she had stopped screaming, Jordan Ghawi stated. The man said Jessica Ghawi had been shot in the head.

Jordan Ghawi said the friend escaped the theater after being shot twice, and he was expected to survive. Jordan Ghawi praised the man, saying his "actions are nothing but heroic."

Jessica Ghawi, 24, moved to Denver from Texas about a year ago and friends and colleagues described her as outgoing, smart and witty.

Ghawi blogged at length about surviving the Eaton Centre mall shooting in Toronto that killed two people and sent several others to the hospital. Peter Burns, a radio sports show host with Mile High Sports Radio in Denver, and his girlfriend, Lauren Anuskewicz, both said the blog reflected everything she told them.

Jessica Ghawi wrote of the Toronto shooting: "I was shown how fragile life was on Saturday. I saw the terror on bystanders' faces. I saw the victims of a senseless crime. I saw lives change. I was reminded that we don't know when or where our time on Earth will end. When or where we will breathe our last breath."

"After the Toronto incident, I think she even looked at that like, 'Hey, even after that, I'm able to pursue my dream,'" he said.

Jessica Ghawi

Burns said he was close to her family. He moved to Denver from Texas a few years ago and talked with Jessica Ghawi about establishing a sports radio career there, he said.

Former colleague Mike Taylor, a sports host at KTKR-AM in San Antonio described how she reluctantly changed her name for her career, taking the name "Redfield" as a play on her red hair because it was easier to say than her given name.

Jessica Ghawi was a prolific social media user under the new name. Her last tweet stated in all capital letters, "movie doesn't start for 20 minutes.”

Friday, July 20, 2012

Greetings from Mrs. Shabby Junque! I'm reporting to you while sitting in 120 deg TX weather. Where you can't breath cuz it's ThAt humid!!!

One of my most favorite things to buy and junk for is SALVAGED architecture and rust is a must! so I put some of my favorite pieces together and have decided to pass onto some NEW peeps!!

So over there at the famous and almost as fabulous as me...ETSY, you can purchase these big ole beauties! They are just so gorgeous. I had so many, but had to keep SIX for myself and my own home...and I'm going to cut a few of them to make candle holders. Woot, Woot!

And over there at www.napastyle.com they sure like to show off these re-purposed spindles as tables!

And since I LUST for RUST so much...I captured this photo while visiting a famous Shell shop at our Texas Coast.

I had a bunch of stuff collecting dust. Some of it broken...and my vintage chippy old mirror in the back there...was for sale for over a year and no one snagged it (suckers)...so I snagged it and kept it for myself and added it to my master bedroom decor. The cherub thingy was a salvaged piece that once belonged to something?? I think a lamp maybe...I found it at a vendor in Warrenton, way back in one of those fields...I purchased TWO! Then that cement thing a ma jig...was a fancy candle holder...actually I could still sand it down and put a plate on it to make it a repurposed candle holder..but I might just decide to do that another day and then blog about it. Since it broke (thanks to the toddler), it is now in TWO pieces. SOOOOOOOOO, with that said, I'm using the other piece as a book end in my personal library, that is in my bedroom as well. The rest of the stuff all comes from the flea market. I guess it's that whole from Flea to FAB! Fun stuff!!

AND, yes, I said AND one more time....enjoy all these other photos of some amazing things that I just love and get so inspired by. I took a bunch of these photos below on our family vacation in Rockport, Texas!

This next photo you are about to see shows my kids not wearing seatbelts. just so people don't freak out..cuz so many people take my text out of context on purpose, my daughter and her friend were not wearing seatbelts because we were on the Ferry going to the island and they got out to look at the dolphins. So I don't need your lawyer calling me or sending me papers suggesting I was guilty of child endangerment! (yes, that is what our world has come to)

God Bless AMERICA and TEXAS!!

You can order one of these fancy buntings from me too! They are $35 each and made to order, so you can customize your ribbon color on the ends.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Alright, so I will admit it...I hate cooking. There are only a handful of things I can throw out on the table...most of them...meals that qualify under the "30 minute" title. I'm no Martha Stuart or Rachel RAy....but I am Crystal. And one thing my Momma did teach me was how to cook on a budget that pleases everyone! Did I mention that I really don't like cooking? My husband usually stands behind me and critiques my cooking, because he is an excellent cook when it comes to meat and anything that comes from the wild. But what about those nights he's at work and you got some hungry kids that just want to eat now? Not to mention all the neighbor kids too. I don't have time to take 3 hours to cook!

So tonight I threw together my EAsy Cheezy Potato soup. My Gramma used to make it, and so did my Mom. I'm sure as time has gone on...each one of us tweaked it to our desires and time schedules. So I'm just going to share with you my recipe on my time schedule. Normally I'm typing about Junking and furniture make overs, but I felt I should share this...cuz I know there are other crazy junkers out there that spend more time creating and less time cooking...so here it goes.

After I spent an hour counting quarters, dimes and nickels from my change box...I headed to the super market. I even had the money counted out and organized and labeled on each ziploc bag. quarters in one, nickels in one, dimes in one...and so on. LOL (that's why my friends compare me to Monica on the old show Friends) So inspired by the guy that paid his mortgage off with Pennies...I will be that person next. There are so many if you think about it! When I checked out, I paid the check out lady with each ziploc bag labeled. No I was not embarrased...I made it a joke...and had the line behind me applauding..so don't ever be embarrassed about things like that. I think it's something to take great Pride in!

First on your grocery list you need:

Bag of Potatos

Some kind of Velveeta or off brand cheeze melt

MILK

BUTTER

ONION POWDER

GARLIC POWDER OR MINCED GARLIC

COOKED HAM

WINE/TEQUILA/BEER/ OR ANY BEVERAGE OF YOUR CHOICE

SALT

PEPPER

SHREDDED CHEESE

PARSELY (fresh or flakes from the seasoning isle)

Step by step..which this blog is probley longer than it really takes to cook

The first thing you need to do is wash and clean your potatos.

Once you wash the potatos, you need to peel them. I like to lay out some paper towels to peel over.

Once you peel your potatos, all you have to do to clean up is fold it all up and throw it out.

While you are doing all that, it's best you have already started your pot of boiling water.

Then it's important to dice your potatos. Not too small, not too large.

So now that we have that all diced up, we throw it in the pot of water we already started boiling. Don't forget to add your wooden spoon across the top, to keep the water from boiling over. My Grandma taught me that when I was little. Yeah, I know it's on Pinterest too...but seriously, My Grandma who is German, taught me that.

While you are waiting on your potatos to cook and boil, you could wash dirty dishes, play with kids, clean fridge out, work out, or drink some wine!!

(yes, I have just exposed myself without makeup)

After that 2nd glass...ok..maybe one if you are not from Texas..cuz we tend to drink double the norm.

It's time to drain your potatos. When you drain them, leave just a little bit of the potato bisk in there (the water) The wine should not be poured into the soup at all...that's for your pleasure.

Once you drain your cooking pot, put it back on stove or open fire...however you cook? Then add some milk and butter. Now I would tell you how much to meausre, except when I cook, I never ever measure....I just throw it in there to taste. (another tip my Mom and Gramma taught me) We just don't measure. Too much time gets wasted on counting and measuring in this life anyways.

Ok, so now you have cooked potatos in some bisk, added milk, and added butter. Add some cooking cheese (the type you use for party dips). Again, no measure, just add as you please and taste. I would tell you to only use half, but I use the whole block, cuz my kiddos like it cheezy like Kraft! Dice some cooked ham up (the kind you use in a ham sandwhich)

Then you stirr and take a mash potato maker and mash the remaining chunks, unless you like it chunky (wink wink).